Harrison Barnes vs. Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder
Marquette doesn't have any NBA prospects, but they've got a number of tough, long wing defensive aces like Butler and Crowder that will look to harass Harrison Barnes every second of every minute he's on the court. Don't be surprised if early in the game he gets laid out on a drive to the basket. Marquette wants to punch him in the face (figuratively) and how he responds will be huge. Barnes has been huge for North Carolina in pressure situations and with each game the Tar Heels advance into the Tournament, the overall pressure is rising. Barnes is the top scoring option on a team expected to win against the 11th seeded Golden Eagles and if he struggles and the Tar Heels lose, it will bring back to the surfaces some of the questions scouts had early in the season about Barnes motor and toughness.
Jared Sullinger vs. Josh Harrellson
I don't know if this matchup is going to have any kind of effect on the NBA draft, but it's certainly going to be fun to watch. One of the best parts about Jared Sullinger's game is that he never gives up on rebounds both offensively and defensively, well Josh Harrellson is the same way and will match his intensity and effort on every play. At 6-9, 260 Sullinger has the size to dominate most lighter college centers, however Harrellson (6-10, 275) won't be pushed around so easily. When the Buckeyes go small, most of the rebounding duties will fall on Sullinger, who'll have to contend with big time rebounders in Harrellson and Terrence Jones. Aaron Craft vs. Brandon Knight is another matchup to watch.
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